The Drink Problem. Edited by T. N. Kelynack. (Methuen and
Co. 7s. 6d. net.)—Dr. Kelynack has included in this volume fifteen essays, of which he has himself written the first and the last, "The Drink Problem" and "The Arrest of Alcoholism." The essays deal for the most part with "alcoholism,"—i.e., the excessive use of the spirit and its evil consequences. Here there is a substantial agreement, at least as to the object aimed at, though much difference as to means. The volume may be unreservedly recommended as a careful study of the various problems which have to be handled. On the general question of alcohol the ordinary citizen is somewhat perplexed. He sees that doctors disagree. He knows that mankind has used alcohol from time immemorial. It fulfils the conditions of semper and ubique, if not of ab omnibus. He knows, if he is disposed to consider the teleological argument, that it exists everywhere, so to speak, in Nature. And his own experience is, commonly, that it is a good thing. He finds one advantage, among others that if it does not directly assist digestion, it helps indirectly by diminishing the quantity of food which digestion has to dispose of. Abstainers are often very large eaters. But yet he can hardly deny that prohibition may be "a policy of perfection," that if he could do away with all the evils of drink by giving it up himself he ought not to hesitate. We see that Dr. Kelynack is inclined to favour, the Gothenburg system, and that be would except "off" licensee generally from any scheme of Local Option.
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